Taylor Wimpey Exeter team to sleep rough for homeless charity

Up to 10 people from Taylor Wimpey in Exeter swapped the comfort of their own homes for a night spent in sleeping bags and cardboard boxes.

The staff at Taylor Wimpey took part in the first nationwide Sleep Out in conjunction with youth homelessness charity The Amber Foundation.

Taylor Wimpey Exeter's managing director Colin Palmer, production director Tim Davies and commercial director Mark Sweeney joined over 16 'sleepers' at the event at Port Edward Centre in Avonmouth, Bristol, in a bid to raise much-needed funds for homeless and vulnerable young people.

Palmer said: "We're in the business of building houses, and having a safe and warm place to go home to at the end of the day is something the majority of us take for granted. We only had to spend one night sleeping rough, but this is the reality that thousands of young homeless people face on a regular basis, making the work that charities like The Amber Foundation and Centrepoint does to help them absolutely crucial."

He added: "Centrepoint is Taylor Wimpey's chosen national charity and we work closely with The Amber Foundation as the organisation's partnership charity in Bristol and Exeter, so we were keen to be involved with this fundraising initiative. Taking part in Sleep Out has given us an insight into what homeless youngsters must experience, which makes us even more committed to supporting the fantastic work these charities do."

Charles Drew, chief executive of The Amber Foundation, said: "Sleep Out is unique. Not only does it raise an amazing amount of money, it raises the issue of youth homelessness and gives a glimpse of what it's like to sleep out on the cold streets of Bristol and Exeter. Young people are doing this every night without the protection of security, a canopy keeping the rain off and hundreds of friends supporting them.

"We are extremely grateful to Taylor Wimpey and everyone who took part in the Sleep Out. There support enables us to give young people the help they need to live an independent and positive life. We are proud to be part of the first national Sleep Out and to bring this message home to so many people across Britain."

This hard-hitting event was held in partnership with organisations across the country, including Centrepoint and The Rock Trust and St Basils. Eight cities, including London, hosted their own Sleep Out 2012 events. With nine events in total, it is the first time that a national Sleep Out on this scale has ever been held.

All nine events took place last night to raise awareness of youth homelessness, as well as vital funds for the charities involved. Together, the organisations aim to raise £500,000 nationally, and by joining forces they want to shine a spotlight on the issue of youth homelessness today.

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